Nilanshi Patel first set the Guinness record for longest hair on a teen when she was 16 and it measured 5 feet, 7 inches long. But she twice broke her own record, culminating in the last formal measuring in July 2020, just days before her 18thbirthday, when her hair had grown to 6 feet, 7 inches long.
The reason she hadn’t visited the hairdressers since around 2008 was a “bad experience” involving a “horrible haircut.” She’d vowed not to allow scissors near her scalp again.
That all changed after a conversation with her mother, Kaminiben, when they discussed the possibility of the radical makeover.
At first, Patel considered either auctioning off or donating her hair — which she affectionately called her “lucky charm” — to make wigs for children with cancer. But Kaminiben convinced her it was so beautiful and precious, it should go on display “to inspire” others.
The footage shows her kissing her hair goodbye, telling it: “I love you,” “thank you” and crossing her fingers. Next, the hairdresser, who, with the assistance of Kaminiben, secured portions of the hair in bunches, sheared through the bulky strands.
Since her old look had been a huge part of her identity, Patel winced as she heard the blades go to work.
See for yourself on Guiness Book of World Record's Facebook Page below!